Bottle cap feeding and orienting apparatus



June 13, 1961 J v 2,988,244

BOTTLE CAP FEEDING AND ORIENTING APPARATUS Filed July 7. 1959 4 sheets-sheaf 1 N INVENTORZ R JACOB RAVN BY m g 796W Q N S W L ATTYS.

June 13, 1961 RAVN 2,988,244

BOTTLE CAP FEEDING AND ORIENTING APPARATUS Filed July 7, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIEIZI.

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lNVEINTOR JACOB RAVN BY WWW ATTYS- June 13, 1961 J. RAVN BOTTLE CAP FEEDING AND ORIENTING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 35 Filed July 7, 1959 FEB.

TOR: AVN WW INVEN JACOB R June 13, 1961 J. RAVN BOTTLE CAP FEEDING AND ORIENTING APPARATUS Filed July '7, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIEJJ I.

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77D. RELAY C V16 RA TOR REC TlF/ER mvcm'on: JACOB RAVN AT'ITYS United States Patent BOTTLE CAP FEEDING AND OR'IE'NTING APPARATUS Jacob Ravn, Phoenixville, Pa., assignor to The West Compuny, Phoenixville, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed July 7, 1959, Ser. No. 825,558

14 Claims. (Cl. 221-10) The present invention relates to apparatus for feeding of bottle caps and has particular application to a device for feeding caps which are of generally flat cylindrical shape and are provided with a transverse closure wall at one'end thereof, the caps normally lying with either the open or the closed end on the supporting surface.

Prior to the present invention, the normal cap feeding and orienting apparatus consisted of devices which sense the position of the cap and reject those caps which are not properly oriented. In may cases, the rejection apparatus is dependent upon an over-balancing of the cap due to the location of its center of gravity adjacent one end rather than the other. In applications where the caps are fabricated of extremely light material, devices responsive to the center of gravity of the cap are not operative to select or reject the misoriented caps. Furthermore,

prior art apparatus requires complicated mechanism which is subject to misadjustment andis difiicult to maintain in proper operation.

With the foregoing in mind, the present invention provides means for feeding and orienting bottle caps which is of simple construction and yet is fully effective in operation and use. The apparatus also is disassembled readily forjsterilization when handling sterile-lined caps.

More particularly, the present invention provides a cap- -f'eeding apparatus which operates to receive caps intermittently in batches and to discharge the caps one by one in uninterrupted sequence, every cap received by the apparatus being discharged with proper orientation for subsequent high-speed sealing apparatus.

The invention also provides means for limiting the fiow of caps through the apparatus upon excessive accumulation of caps in selected portions of the apparatus, whereby the danger of improper operation of the apparatus and'damage to the caps thereby is substantially eliminated.

All of the objects of the invention and the various features and details of construction and operation thereof are more fully set forth hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein FIG. 1 is a view in side elevation of an apparatus embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged transverse sectional view through the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are sectional views taken on the lines 3-3 and 4-4 of FIG. 2, respectively;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the automatic control apparatus for feeding a hopper;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

' FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse sectional view showing the operation of the orienting mechanism of'the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken on the line 8-8 of FIG. 7;

1 FIG. 9 is a developed sectional view taken on the line 9 -9 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged transverse sectional view showing the operation of one of the elements preventing overloading of the discharge channel of the apparatus;

operable to vibrate to discharge the caps onto a deflecting:

cone 41 and into a collecting chamber 42. From the collecting chamber, the caps are fed radially outward in flat position onto a selector ring 51 which effects orientation. of the caps so that they are discharged onto a hopper cone 61, each cap with its open end upward. From the hopper cone, the caps are fed into a cap chute 71, which leads into the capping machine which applies the caps to the;

bottles. I The feed tray 31 and feed cone 43 are vibrated intermittently, in the present instance whenever the sup-- ply of caps on the hopper cone is-reduced below a minimum, and whenever the supply of caps in the collecting;

chamber falls below a minimum. In addition, means is. provided to indicate when the supply of caps in the hop-- per bin requires replenishing which means may also oper ate automatic replenishing apparatus (not shown).

Referring now to the drawing and particularly FIG. 1, the hopper bin 21 has a cylindrical body portion 22 and a conical lower portion 23. The bin is provided with a hinged cover 24 and terminates at its lower extremity in a discharge duct 25. An extension 26 is mounted on the duct 25 for vertical adjustment, for example, by rivets 27 slidable in inclined slots 28 in the duct 25. Thus, by rotating the extension 26, for example by a handle 29, the extension is adjusted vertically on the duct element 25. The duct extension 26 cooperates with the feed tray 31 to control the flow of caps from the hopper bin 21 into the collecting chamber 42. a

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the feed tray 31 has a horizontal base portion 32 which is turned up about its periphery as indicated at 33. At one side of the base 32, an upstanding wall 3 4 is provided and a medial partition 35 extends from the wall 34 to the opposite edge of the base 32. As shown in FIG. 2, the medial partition 35 extends upwardly into the duct 25 for agitation.

The feed tray 31 is mounted on a vibrator 36 by means of a threaded fastener 37 extending through a bore in the partition 35. The head 38 of the fastener 37 extends into the hopper bin 21 and serves as an agitator for insuring flow of bottle caps from the hopper into the feed tray 31.

Thus, upon operation of the vibrator, as more fully set' forth hereinafter, the bottle caps are caused to flow from the hopper bin 21 through the duct 25 into the feed tray 31 which, by reason of the vibration, deposits the caps onto the deflecting cone 41 and into the collecting chamber 42.

The collecting chamber 42 for the caps is defined between the feed cone 43 which is mounted on the vibrator shaft 36 and an agitator ring 44 mounted for rotation about the axis of the feed cone 43. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the agitator ringis provided with a series of projecting portions 45 which project into the collecting chamber -42.to agitate the caps by causing them to be displaced The vertical height of the extension chamber 47 is less 3 l than the width of the cap so that caps which are on edge cannot enter the extension chamber. The extension 47 is provided with a plurality of, in this instance four, radial openings or inlets 48 through which the caps in the extension 47 pass onto the selector ring 51.

The selector ring 51 is mounted for rotation with the agitator ring 44 and, as shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, comprises an annular member of sheet material having a series of generally U-shaped openings 52 therein. Each opening 52 is defined by a semi-circular wall '53 having a diameter greater than the diameter of the caps. A web 54 projects into the semi-circular opening to define the U-shaped contour thereof.

In the operation of the selector ring 51, the caps C passing through the inlet 48 slide on the selector ring 51 until they engage against the serrated wall 55 of a stationary ring 56 and pass into registry with one of the openings 52. If the cap is open-end-down, the cylindrical wall of the cap C enters the opening 52 and the weight of the cap causes it to fall through the opening, as indicated in full lines in FIG. 7, and the web 54 engages the cylindrical wall and turns the cap over as it passes through the opening so that it falls onto the hopper cone 61 openend-up.

On the other hand, the caps which pass through the inlet 48 open-end-up, engage against the serrated wall 55 with their closed end resting on the selector ring 51 as shown at C in FIG. 8. As the selector ring '51 rotates with the agitator ring, the caps C are vibrated by the stationary serrated wall 55 so that any open-end down caps during the course of their travel about the circumference of the apparatus register with and enter one of the openings 52. Adjacent each inlet 48, a deflector finger 62 is mounted on the ring 44 and the selector ring 51 is interrupted and turned down behind the finger 62 to provide a ramp 63. Thus, the caps C which travel along the selector ring 51 under the action of the stationary ring 56 pass down the ramp 63 onto the hopper cone 61 open-end-up so that all of the caps passing through the opening 48 are deposited on the hopper cone 61 openend-up.

The caps accumulate on the hopper cone 61 which rotates with the selector ring and agitator ring under the rim 65 (see FIG. 2). The rim 65 has an opening therein at 66 (see FIG. 3) which registers with the cap chute 71 so that the caps which are carried on the hopper cone 61 are discharged into the cap chute 61 properly oriented for application to the bottles.

As stated above, the agitator ring 44, selector ring 51 and hopper cone 61 rotate together. To this end, these elements are mounted on a mounting ring '72 which is secured to a pulley 73 driven from a drive shaft 74 by means of a timing belt 75. The drive shaft 74 is driven by a motor M (see FIG. 13) which is driven constantly through a starting relay R, in the present instance by current from a suitable rectifier as shown in FIG. 13.

The construction of the unit affords ready disassembly for sterilization of theparts. To this end the hopper 21 and the cover and rim 65 are removed and then the fastener 38 is released to permit removal of the feed tray 31; the agitator ring 44, selector ring 51 and hopper cone 61; and the feed cone 43. These parts are easily sterilized and returned into place.

The vibrator shaft 36 which mounts the feed tray 31 and the feed cone 43 is vibrated by rotation of the pulley 73. To this end, the mounting shaft 36 is rotatable within the bore of a mounting post 81 upon which the pulley 73 is rotatably mounted. The mounting post 81 mounts a magnetic coil 82 within the pulley 73 so that the pulley constitutes part of an electromagnet. The pulley mounts a ring gear 84 having internal teeth which surrounds a gear 85 mounted on the vibrator shaft 36. The gears 84 and 85 have the same number of teeth and are mounted with an air gap between the tips of the teeth, as shown in FIG. 11. In the absence of rev 4 straint, the gears 84 and would operate as a magnetic clutch to cause the shaft 36 to rotate with the pulley 73.

In order to prevent rotation of the shaft, the shaft is provided at its lower extremity with an arm 86 having an upstanding foot portion 87 mounted between opposed spring members 88, 88. The opposite end of the springs 88 are mounted in seats 89 which are adjustable toward and away from one another by a threaded shaft 90 (see FIG. 4). Thus, upon energization of the magnetic coil 82, and rotation of the pulley 73 and ring gear 84, the shaft 36 is subject to oscillatory vibration under the action of the springs 88, 88.

In accordance with the invention, means is provided to interrupt vibration of the shaft 36 upon excess loading of the collecting chamber 42 or the hopper cone 61. To this end, feeler elements 92 are pivotally mounted on the casing to depend into the collecting chamber 42. The feeler elements 92, in the present instance, are insulated from the casing and are connected by electrical conduits 93 to a control relay 94 for the vibrator coil 82 (see FIG. 13). In the present instance, the conduits 93 are connected to a time delay relay 95 having normally closed contacts in series with the coil of the control relay 94. When the caps in the collecting chamber 42 accumulate to an extent that they bridge the gap between the feeler element 92 and the feed cone 43, which is grounded, the time delay relay 95 is energized, and the normally closed contacts thereof are opened to deenergize the control relay 94 and interrupt energization of the vibrator coil 82. The time delay is provided to prevent too frequent operation of the relay 95 which should be occasioned by momentary contacts of the caps with the feeler elements 92.

In like manner, means is provided to interrupt energization of the coil 82 when there is an undue accumulation of caps on the hopper cone 61. To this end, a detector element 96 projects into the area over-lying the hopper cone 61 from an insulated mounting block 97 on the rim 65. As shown in FIG. 10, the mounting block. 97 is adjustable radially of the hopper cone 61 to determine the degree of loading of the hopper cone permitted by the detector element 96. In the operation of the detector element, when the hopper cone is sufiiciently loaded so that the caps thereon engage the detector finger, the detector finger 96 is grounded to the hopper cone 61, thereby energizing the time delay relay 95 and interrupting the energization of the vibrator coil 82. When both the feeler elements 92 and the detector element 96 are free of caps, the time delay relay 95 is deenergized, permitting the control relay 94 to energize and reinstate operation of the vibrator.

In accordance with another feature of the invention, means is provided to indicate the loading of the hopper bin 21. To this end, the hopper bin 21 is mounted on a plurality of arms 101 adjustably supported on pivoted levers 102, as indicated at 103. A spring bias is provided at 104 to elevate the lever 102 against the weight of the hopper bin. When the load of caps in the hopper bin 21 falls below a predetermined level, as determined by the setting of the bias spring 104, the lever 102 is elevated value and, if desired, connections may be madeto an automatic filling machine to automatically replenish the hopper bin 21. Of course, a similar action is provided by mounting two of the hopper arms 101 stationary, and the third on the pivoted lever 102 to obtain the weighing action.

The predetermined load below which the hopper bin actuates the switch 108 is adjustable by adjusting the bias of the spring 104. To this end, the spring 104 is seated at its lower end in an adjustable plug 109 which is adjusted in the housing by an adjusting knob 110. The plug 109 carries an indicator 111 which registers with a 5. scale 112 to indicate the predetermined load ofthe hopper bin 21.

While a particular embodiment of the present invention has been hereinillustrated and described, it is. not .intended to limit the invention to such disclosure but changes and modifications may'be made therein and thereto within the scope of the following claims. For example, the caps C have been illustrated with liners, but unlined caps or cap with partly-closed ends are also effectively handled by the apparatus.

I claim:

1. Cap feeding apparatus for caps having a cylindrical wall portion at least partly closed at one end by a top and open at the other end, said apparatus comprising means defining a collecting chamber for said caps, a selector ring operable to receive caps from said collecting chamber, means to feed caps from said collecting chamber to said selector ring and deposit them on the ring resting on one of their ends, said selector ring comprising a ring of sheet material having a plurality of generally U-shaped openings therein disposed about the periphery and defined by an opening having a circumferential width greater than the diameter of the cylinder formed by the cylindrical wall portion of the caps and a radial length greater than said diameter and greater than the length of said cylindrical wall portion, and a web projecting into said opening to form the generally U-shaped opening, means to displace said caps along said ring so that the cylindrical wall of each cap overlies the U-shaped opening and clears the web, the caps with their open-end down passing through said opening and being inverted by said web, and the caps with their open-end up being retained on said ring by the web engaging the top thereof, a hopper cone underlying said selector ring to receive the caps passing through said U-shaped openings, and means on said selector ring to discharge the open-end-up caps retained on said ring onto said hopper cone without inverting the same whereby all of said caps are deposited on said hopper cone with their open ends up.

2. Cap feeding apparatus for caps having a cylindrical wall portion at least partly closed at one end by a top and open at the other end the axial length of said wall portion being less than its diameter, said apparatus comprising means defining a collecting chamber for said caps including a bottom wall of generally conical configuration and an agitator ring movable relative to said conical bottom wall to cause the caps to assume a position resting on one end on said conical wall, an annular selector ring surrounding said conical bottom wall and operable to receive caps from said collecting chamber, means to feed caps from said collecting chamber to said selector ring including an inlet to said selector ring intermediate said conical wall and said selector ring to meter the flow of caps from said collecting chamber, and having a vertical height less than the diameter of the cylinder formed by said cylindrical wall portion whereby said caps are deposited on the ring resting on one of their ends, said selector ring comprising a ring of sheet material having a plurality of generally U-shaped openings therein disposed about the periphery thereof and defined by a semicircular wall having a diameter greater than the diameter of the cylindrical formed by the cylindrical wall portion of the caps, and a web projecting into said opening to form the generally U-shaped opening, and means to displace said caps along said ring so that the cylindrical wall of each cap overlies the U-shaped opening and clears the web, the caps with their open end down passing through said opening and being inverted by said web and the caps with their open end up being retained on said ring by the web engaging the top thereof.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said selector ring is frusto conical and declines outwardly, and including an annular wall surrounding said selector ring adjacent its lower peripheral edge, said U-shaped openlector. ring comprising drive means to rotate said selector ring relative to said annular wall.

4. Apparatus accordingto claim 3 wherein said agi tator ring is mounted for rotation relative to said conical bottom wall to be rotated relative to said conical bottom wall by said drive means concurrently with said selector nng.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4 including means to vibrate said conical bottom wall, said conical bottom wall having a plurality of upstanding ribs thereon to assist in orienting said caps.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said vibrating means includes an internally-toothed ring gear mounted on said drive means for rotation with said selector ring and agitator ring, a gear element mounted within said ring gear with clearance therebetween, a shaft rigidly mounting said gear element and said conical bottom wall for oscillating movement concentric with said ring gear and rings respectively, resilient means limiting movement of said shaft, and magnetic means setting up a magnetic field between said ring gear and said gear element, whereby upon rotation of said. drive means, said resilient means elfects vibratory oscillation of said shaft and said conical bottom wall.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said magnetic means comprises an electromagnetic coil, and including switch means selectively controlling the energization of said coil.

8. Apparatus according to claim 5 including a hopper having a bottom opening therein, a feed tray mounted on said conical bottom wall for vibratory movement there with, said feed tray receiving the caps from the hopper and discharging them into said collecting chamber only upon vibratory movement thereof.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said hopper is mounted for vertical movement relative to said feed tray, and including bias means urging said hopper to an upper limit position when empty and afiording displacement of said hopper to a lower limit position when said hopper is full, and switch means responsive to the position to said hopper.

10. Apparatus according to claim 8 including sensing means in said collecting chamber operable upon accumulation of caps in said collecting chamber to interrupt operation of said vibrating means to thereby interrupt feed of caps into said chamber by said feed tray.

'11. Apparatus according to claim 8 including a hopper cone underlying said selector ring to receive the caps passing through and being inverted by said U-shaped openings, means on said selector ring to transfer the open-end-up caps retained on said ring onto said hopper cone without inverting the same whereby all of said caps are deposited on the hopper cone with their open end up, and sensing means responsive to accumulation of said caps on said hopper cone to interrupt operation of said vibrating means and therefore interrupt the feed of caps into said collecting chamber by said feed tray.

12. Apparatus according to claim 11 including a cap delivery chute having a cross section conforming to the outline of said caps, a rim confining said caps on said hopper cone, and means on said hopper cone rim defining an opening in registry with said delivery chute to discharge said caps from said hopper cone into said delivery chute without disturbing their orientation.

13. Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said hopper comprises a conical portion terminating in a discharge duct overlying the feed tray and including an extension mounted on said discharge duct for vertical adjustment to vary the clearance between the open end of said duct and said feed tray to control the flow of caps from the hopper bin into the collecting chamber.

14. Apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said feed 7 tray comprises a flat base member having an upturned- References Cited in the file of this patent peripheral edge, and including a partition extending from said flat portion upwardly into the duct and said exten- UNITED STATES PATENTS sion whereby upon vibration of said feed tray, said parti- 2,014,617 Fischer Sept. 17, 1935- tion assists the flow of caps through the duct and said. 5 2,701,637 Rundt Feb. 8, 1955 extension onto said base member. 2,732,114 Annen Ian. 24, 1956 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No, 2388,2414 June 15Y 1961 I Jacob Ravn It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent, should read as "corrected below Column 1, line 18, for "may" read many column 2, line 2, for "11-17" read 11-'-11 column 5 line 62, for "cylindrical'f first occurrence, read cylinder column 6, line 3, strike out "being.

Signed and sealed this 7th day of November 1961.

(SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST W. SWIDER a DAVID L. LADD Attesting Officer a Commissioner of Patents USCOMM-DC- 

